03/28/18

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Mayo Clinic Minute: New device can prevent migraine attacks

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STelA_Kt7Po

Immigrants' Hearts Healthier Than Many Born in U.S.

Native-born Americans also had a higher rate of stroke -- 2.7 percent for both men and women, versus 2.1 percent for foreign-born men and 1.9 percent for foreign-born women.

From: https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20180328/immigrants-hearts-healthier-than-many-born-in-us?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Are Meat Eaters Contributing to Climate Change?

Beef is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions associated with food production, the researchers said in a new study.

From: https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/news/20180328/are-meat-eaters-contributing-to-climate-change?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Pot Smoking Might Lead Users to Cigarettes

While cigarette smoking is declining in the United States, the relaxation of laws against marijuana means its use is on the rise.

From: https://www.webmd.com/news/20180328/pot-smoking-might-lead-users-to-cigarettes?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Big Weight Loss May Bring Big Relationship Changes

One of the new studies tracked the relationship histories of nearly 2,000 obese Swedes who underwent weight-loss surgery over 10 years. The investigators compared the patients with about 1,900 obese adults who did not have surgery.

From: https://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/news/20180328/big-weight-loss-may-bring-big-relationship-changes?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Apps that prod people to take their pills – resourceful or risky?

New technology means doctor's orders may one day include a smartphone video to make sure you took your medicine

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/selfie-medicine-phone-apps-push-people-to-take-their-pills/

Rubber Duckies Swimming With Bacteria: Study

Researchers tested the bath-time toys and found that they had high levels of bacteria, the Associated Press reported.

From: https://www.webmd.com/children/news/20180328/rubber-duckies-swimming-with-bacteria-study?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Rubber ducks may be haven for nasty germs

New research finds those cute yellow bath-time toys are often contain "potentially pathogenic bacteria"

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/rubber-ducks-may-be-haven-for-nasty-germs/

Universal Health Coverage: everyone, everywhere

From: World Health Organization https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyRJ2ZcC07M

Groups Sue FDA to Speed Review of E-Cigarettes

According to the groups, the FDA's decision to delay the review means that currently available e-cigarettes and cigars can continue to be sold without information about their health risks or any scientific evidence to support claims of public health benefits.

From: https://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/news/20180328/groups-sue-fda-to-speed-review-of-e-cigarettes?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Alzheimer's Stigma a Barrier to Prevention, Care

Researchers gave a random sample of 317 adults a fictional description of a patient with mild cognitive impairment or dementia due to Alzheimer's. Respondents were told the patient's condition would worsen, improve or stay the same.

From: https://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/news/20180328/alzheimers-stigma-a-barrier-to-prevention-care?src=RSS_PUBLIC

MRI Sheds Light on Brain Networks Tied to Autism

In the study, the Chinese team used an MRI technology known as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). This technique provides important information on the conditions of the brain's "white matter," the researchers explained.

From: https://www.webmd.com/brain/news/20180327/mri-sheds-light-on-brain-networks-tied-to-autism?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Apple cider vinegar… for heartburn?

I’ve always thought it sounded counterintuitive to use an acid to alleviate indigestion, but the number of times I’ve heard people treat their symptoms of heartburn with apple cider vinegar is too large to count. So, I decided to look into whether this strategy works, and to do some investigation about the idea behind its use. To my surprise, there is no research published in medical journals that addresses using raw apple cider vinegar to treat heartburn, despite widespread use and recommendations from blogs and websites.

What is heartburn?

Heartburn is most commonly caused by stomach acid contents traveling up into the esophagus, the pipe that connects the mouth to the stomach. Unlike the stomach, the esophagus is not used to the presence of acid. The stomach acid irritates the esophagus, leading to several symptoms including throat clearing, burning sensation in the chest and neck, sour sensation in the mouth, cough, and bloating. It is not a pleasant feeling. It’s what we call GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease.

There are several reasons why gastric contents move up into the esophagus instead of going down to the bowel. The relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a valve that sits between the esophagus and the stomach, is the most common culprit. The LES is usually closed, creating a contained system to digest food. But it opens from time to time, to let air out in the form of belching. Reflux mostly happens when the valve relaxes too much, or too often. It allows not only gas but also gastric acid to move up, causing the discomfort.

There is a theory stating that what controls the LES is the stomach’s acidity. If for some reason the stomach is not producing enough acid, the muscles around the LES would relax, resulting in more reflux. However, the mechanism that controls this valve is much more complex than the level of gastric acidity. It involves a complex network of involuntary muscles and several different hormones and neurotransmitters.

Medications for heartburn

The gold standard to treat heartburn is to take an over-the-counter class of medications called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) that reduce stomach acidity. Using these drugs will not prevent reflux, but can reduce inflammation in the esophagus, allowing it to heal. Avoid taking these medications for more than a month, unless recommended by your doctor. It is not unusual to become used to PPIs. After taking them for a few weeks it may be hard to wean off of them, because stopping can cause rebound symptoms. PPI side effects are minimal, but long-term use can cause osteoporosis, infections, and a decrease in the absorption of nutrients.

Antacids and medications such as ranitidine and famotidine (H2 blockers) may work well and have fewer side effects, but if these strategies do not make you feel better within a few weeks, it is a good idea to consult with your doctor. Although rare, heartburn could be a sign of other serious illnesses.

Self-help measures for heartburn

Another approach that may be quite effective and free of side effects is to change specific behaviors:

Avoid foods known to cause heartburn: coffee, chocolate, alcohol, fatty foods, tomato, spicy foods, and acidic foods.
Avoid lying down for at least two to three hours after a meal.
Eat small meals.
Lose weight if you need to.
Don’t smoke, and if you already do, try to quit.

But what about taking apple cider vinegar for heartburn? Since we have no data to support the effectiveness or safety of its use for heartburn, it’s probably a good idea to stick to drizzling this deliciousness on colorful salads for now.

The post Apple cider vinegar… for heartburn? appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Marcelo Campos, MD https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/apple-cider-vinegar-for-heartburn-2018032813530

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